During the 1987-88 school year, a coalition of personnel from the Souderton Area School District and community representatives developed a child abuse prevention program for kindergarten, second and fourth grades. The current Child Protection Program reflects on-going evaluation and includes revisions. It recognizes the continuing need to provide students with knowledge and skills to ensure personal safety. The success of the Child Protection Program presented in individual classrooms by the school counselors depends on collaborative efforts in a supportive context. If you have any specific questions or concerns about this program please contact your school counselor.

Overview of Lessons

Kindergarten
The goal of the curriculum is for to students to learn The Touching Rule (no one should look at or touch your private body parts except to keep you clean and healthy), to identify what to do if someone breaks The Touching Rule, and to understand that secrets about touching are not okay.

2nd GradeThe goal of the curriculum is for students to identify the difference between safe, confusing and unsafe touches. Students will learn about their right to privacy and use their “Safety Voice.” Students will also identify a trusted adult they can talk to if they receive an unsafe or confusing touch.

4th GradeThe goal of the curriculum is for students to identify the difference between safe, confusing and unsafe touches. Students will understand their rights to privacy regarding their bodies. Students will also learn to trust their feelings regarding safe and unsafe touches and how to stand up for themselves assertively.

Talking Points

Touch can be safe, unsafe, or confusing.

Trust your feelings about touch.

If you don't like a touch, or feel confused by it, talk to an adult whom you trust.

It's okay to say "no" if someone confuses or embarrasses you with a touch or if someone touches your private body parts.

Anyone could be a victim or the person who gets hurt from sexual abuse.

Anyone could be an offender or the person who hurts the victim.

Always tell a trusted adult if you are touched in a way that feels unsafe or confusing, even if you were told it was a secret.

It's never your fault if you get touched in these ways.

* In 2015, the US Department of Health and Human Services reported 683,000 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect. The PA Dept of Health and Human Services recorded 4,597 substantiated cases (94 in Montgomery County and 56 in Bucks County) in 2016.